The UK Government’s overhaul of the Skilled Worker visa system has introduced a temporary shortage list for lower-skilled roles – set to expire on 31st December 2026. Employers reliant on these roles should act now to avoid disruption when the review begins.
The changes, effective from 1st July 2025, restored degree-level (RQF 6+) requirements and raised salary thresholds for most visa-eligible jobs. However, a transitional list allows some lower-skilled occupations – such as HR assistants, IT technicians, and dental nurses – to continue under limited conditions until the end of 2026.
Crucially, visa holders on the temporary list cannot bring dependants, receive no discounts on fees or salaries, and must have a Certificate of Sponsorship issued before the deadline. After that point, continued eligibility will depend on the outcome of a review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
The MAC is expected to assess each occupation based on the severity of labour shortages and the extent to which employers have invested in domestic talent pipelines. The Government has stated that ongoing access to overseas hires will require clear evidence of UK-based training and upskilling efforts.
Employers should now:
- Audit all sponsored roles at RQF levels 3 to 5 to ensure Certificates of Sponsorship are issued well before the cut-off.
- Develop or document formal UK workforce development plans, including apprenticeships or skills programmes.
- Prepare for candidate retention challenges in roles where family accompaniment is no longer permitted.
- Engage with sector bodies to support a unified response to the MAC review.
- Monitor policy updates or early MAC consultations, which may signal changes before the formal review.
The transitional list offers breathing room for some hard-to-fill roles, but it is not permanent. As one FT analysis noted, this is “a stopgap measure” designed to give employers time to adapt to a new, more restrictive immigration landscape.
For sectors relying on hard-to-source skills, the next 18 months are critical. Preparing now will help mitigate risk, protect workforce continuity, and support stronger evidence when the 2026 review begins.
